I personally have read just about everything you have written, my friend and I started reading your booksand between us have managed to find/buy and share your amazing books (never a bad James Patterson book!!) Thankyou for everything and we look forward with much excitement for your next book.

James,

I am currently a college student in Northern Indiana. One of the classes I am taking is called Western World Masterpieces. We are to read amazing works such as The Oddessy and Dante's Inferno. I understand where you are coming from when you suggest that reading is one of the best forms of learning. I have been reading your book since I was about 13 (I am 21 now) and have fallen in love with all of them. What would our world be without great authors such as yourself, Homer, or Dante?

After reading the title for this post, I thought it would be about the Kindle. I find that reading is a personal soother for me. When I am stressed out, nothing calms me faster than a fast paced plot and witty dialogue (and maybe a glass of wine!). I read whenever I can, including in front of my children. Children who never see their parents read will never want to read themselves. I enjoy mysteries, but I make it a point to read a little of everything so my kids understand there's a book out there for anyone. With all of the childrens books being made into movies, we've started to buy those books as well; As much for us as for the kids because we want to see how the movies differ from the books. My children are 2 and 3 and every night we have to read "If you give a Mouse a Cookie" at least one. In school, I always made it through the more boring books better than other kids because I read so quickly, but also because I enjoy reading just about anything thrown at me. Homer may not have my favorite writing style, but that didn;t stop me from getting cauight up in the story. It saddens me that not everyone feels this way. I am currently saving money to put myself through college and would like to teach highschool English. I hope I can influence the reading choices of my students, and maybe try to convince them that just because it is taught in school, doesn;t mean it is boring.

I adore most of your books;but couldn't read The Lifeguard. I found it boring. I hope that you will continue to write The Women's Murdeer Club, and get Alex and his family back in the picture. I wish you the very best! I have been reading Coban, and Jack Reacher. They are great, just like you.

I so look forward to each and every book that you write. I am now reading Double Cross. What's next? Is there a new book in the stores right now? I also love the Womens Murder Club.

I just read Double Cross and while I liked the book, was surprised that you would mention the Washington Redskin's colors as being Red and White when everyone knows (even us Dallas fans) that they are Burgandy and Gold.

I didn't think that not spending money on books was a personal failure exactly, but I did want to point out that the library offers some great books too. I don't like books I read in school because of the projects that follow after. I know some of my favorite books are some my friends hate just because they read them in class. My Language Arts teacher tries to get her students to read every week by having them fill out a reading log, but many students just lie on them because they are just to busy to read. Many of my friends would probably love to pick up a book if it wasn't for basketball, academdic team, or art club. Also I find it hard to find a book i like. My brother has to use his feet, so it's hard for him to find a book in Large-Print or on tape that he likes (he loves the maximum ride books, he's waiting for the 3rd one to come out on tape at our library). I know I'm rambling about various topics, maybe you can find a point somewhere in my rant.

Your books have given me hours of distracted enjoyment. I am a nurse, and use reading to difuse, and to keep a tireless, positive attitude. I have read EVERY one of your books except Double Cross..can't wait. PS.My hometown of Stonington, Maine would make a terrific setting. It's a magical island..So beautiful.

From 'Beth' "I don't like books I read in school because of the projects that follow after. I know some of my favorite books are some my friends hate just because they read them in class. My Language Arts teacher tries to get her students to read every week by having them fill out a reading log, but many students just lie on them because they are just to busy to read. Many of my friends would probably love to pick up a book if it wasn't for basketball, academdic team, or art club. and 'Erica' "Children who never see their parents read will never want to read themselves."

Reading is a lifelong habit - A child who grows up loving the stories read to them,& learns to read WELL themselves, will become an adult who reads and communicates well. If you want children to read, you have to teach them to love books long before they can read themselves.Kids learn by what they SEE DONE around them, far more than what they are TOLD TO DO. Waiting until they are in school to really introduce them to books is too late. A child's first instinct is to imitate those they see around them - if Mom and Dad read, the child will want to read, too.

I've worked alot with kids - Scouts, school volunteering & substitute teaching. Most kids that SHOULD be reading fluently in 4th & 5th grade are still struggling with basic skills! Many never grow much beyond that level, because once they hit the higher grades, they are also trying to master so many other things. Beth makes some great points -if kids aren't fluent readers,(if they don't read voluntarily on their own anyway) then 'reading logs' and 'book reports', etc are seen as punishment and work, and reading itself becomes a chore - something to avoid. As they get older, rather than improve their reading skills naturally by WANTING to read for pleasure, they shove reading aside (because it's been classified as 'homeWORK' in their eyes) in favor of sports, TV, video games, or almost ANY other pastime.

Here's an idea: have kids do reports on video games every day in school for years; keep logs on them and take them apart, diagram their dialogue structure, make everyone in the class work at the exact same pace (too slow or too fast) and generally take all the 'fun' out of the games.

You might find the kids turn to books for enjoyment instead of those 'boring' (frustrating) computer games!

I didn't start reading until I was out of school, I think the Carpet Baggers was the first, and really didn't get serious about it until John Jakes came out with his bicentennial series. I think I was 43 so its never to late I'm 65 now and don't know how I would live without books.
With James Patterson, Grisham, Wilber Smith,Basile,Demille,Ludlum, Forsyth,Clancy,Crichton,Neville,Jack London,new guy named Michael Hawk, Kenneth Roberts, Ben Ames Williams. I'm so afraid I wil miss some really good book, if I just had more time. To those who dought one day you will say how could I have been so stupid as to think books lacked importants.
I wonder if you would ever locate a story on the Outerbanks NC fasinating history.
If I had read when I should have read maybe I could have good grammer and spelling.

I would like to thank you all, especially Mr. Patterson, for your expressive opinions about books and the purpose of them. It's nice to read your entries, and get away from all the "likes", "Um's" and "I dunno's" that completely saturate the teenage world. Also, as I hope you know, the president delivered his state of the union adress yesterday, and I found this article very entertaining:
January 29, 2008, 12:47 am
State of The Union: Shocking Omission
By The Topical Satire Initiative

We had been looking forward to President Bush’s State of the Union address for months, knowing that it would once again bring to the fore the most pressing issue of our generation: human-animal hybrids.
On Monday afternoon, whitehouse.gov, our one-stop shopping site for neutral-colored residences, posted this important update on the proceedings:
“President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address on January 28, 2008. Whatever the form, content, delivery method or broadcast medium, the President’s annual address is a backdrop for national unity.”
Our guesses — and please bear in mind that we are neither pundits nor smart people — were:
Form: Macaroni collage
Content: In-depth analysis of monumentally important human-animal hybrid controversy
Delivery Method: Ice Cream Truck
Broadcast Medium: Tin cans, string
Boy, was our collective face red! Turns out, Bush chose to go with:
Form: Speech
Content: Economic stuff, Incentive stuff, Legacy stuff
Delivery Method: Mouth
Broadcast Medium: TV
Truly, the address was a firm, sure-footed and resounding proclamation that even our 43rd president himself was surprised he had to do another of these things.
9:06: The President arrives, fashionably late, and fashionably attired in a blue tie the exact shade of America’s current malaise. After much hand-shaking, he takes his place at the rostrum, in front of Dick Cheney, a human-zombie hybrid, and Nancy Pelosi, a human-woman hybrid.
9:07: Bush gets down to business right away, talking about the economy, his stimulus plan, etc. Obviously, he’s saving human-animal hybrids for later in the speech.
9:12: Tax relief. No mention of how human-animal hybrids could affect it.
9:22: Human-alcohol hybrid Ted Kennedy checks his program, trying to figure out who the guy in the blue tie behind the podium is, and if there’s an intermission.
9:29: “I call on Congress to ban unethical practices such as…” This is it! “…the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning of human life.” Human-animal hybrids, here we —
Um.
Hello?
He’s just moved on to “matters of justice.” Matters of justice!? How about the injustice of not discussing human-animal hybrids?!
9:30: Okay, now we’re ticked.
9:33: America is responding to immigration by “deploying fences.” If we had human-animal hybrids, we could line them up along the Mexican border. They would be dangerous, yet understanding. Does nobody see this?
9:40: Iraq.
9:53: Iran.
9:55: Wiretapping.
10:00: Wow. He’s really not even going to mention them.
10:01: “…And the state of our union will remain strong.” “God bless America.”
Yes, we’re a little shocked right now.
But in a way, we’re almost glad President Bush didn’t discuss human-animal hybrids in this year’s State of the Union. Perhaps he understood that, with only one year left, they’re simply too big for him to take on. (Some are, quite literally. Especially if the human is tall to begin with, and then the animal it’s fused with is like a rhino or a blue whale.)
We look forward to next year, when the State of the Union is delivered by someone else. Someone more attuned to the plight of the human-animal. Maybe a centaur.

Laura - I think you meant the post of Jocelyn. Mine was the much lighter one about the Washington Redskin colors.
I personnaly can not imagine life without books. I think I have been reading everyday since first grade.

At the age of 46, a friend of mine convinced me to start reading books by James Patterson. After not picking up a book since my early 20s, I fell in love with his writing and the characters. It's nice to read books where the story is told from a city or places that I have visited. I have purchased and read almost all his books and am looking forward to the next "Murders Club", "Maximum Ride" and "Alex Cross". As another reader stated in their post, wouldn't it be fun to have Lindsay and Alex work together on a case!
As another person said in their post, I agree, more parents giving a book or set of books to a child is much better than the child sitting in front of the computer or tv with another "game".

Thank you, and many other authors, for your books. I have always been an avid reader and am in awe of the amount of research that goes into your stories. Truly amazing. To be exposed to other environments and cultures from an armchair is so much better than the TV. Thank you for your dedication.
.an old avid reader..

I have ready every one of Mr. Patterson's books. I have yet to read one I don't like!!

I love your books, and I snapped up your maximum ride books for my now 15 year old daughter who tried to savor them to no avail, She would spend all day curled up in ball and not move until it was done. I think all three books took a total of three days to finish. Now I have started buying her the Murderers club and she just can't get enough. Thank you Mr. Patterson for your sharing your wonderful gift with us.

I am a reader of all books and literature. I had never read James Patterson until purchasing an audio book for hubby who is legally blind. I became hooked. Picked up 3rd degree,scary! Then my second and third. When waiting in doctors offices, waiting rooms, I read. Your books are fast paced, the reader feels like you are in the scenario as a onlooker and you receive an education as well due to his research on background information as well as pertinent information to the novel itself. Thanks James Patterson for stories that educate the mind as well as the senses.
I would like to say that our 16 year old is an accelerated reader, I started throwing books at him when he was 8,(he couldn't read a word) I mean I would throw them at him and he would throw them back.
I kept reading to him and inventing games for him to read (he had been severely abused mentally and physically)Now he reads constantly, it sometimes gets in the way of homework but he is getting an education on all areas of life! So this is the second thank you for igniting the spark of interest in young people and yes, he has an XBox, does he use it, not when he has a new book to read.

I am saddened to read that there are actually people out there who get no enjoyment out of reading or feel reading is unimportant. I read constantly and I learn something new everyday from the books that I read. If you are constantly learning new things how could this be a bad thing? Like Dr. Suess (not the only books I read) once said "the more that you know the more places you'll go" For those of you who would rather watch TV or a movie instead of reading a book, think about it, the story came first, somebody thought it up, wrote it down, other people read it decided to make a movie out of it. TV and movies only try to immulate or immitate what we see in our imagination when we read. The key word is TRY. Special effects have come a long way but nothing can ever be as grand as what we see in our mind as we read. I sincerely hope that those people who feel books are unimportant or a waste of time will find a book that will capture their hearts and imagination so fully that they cannot put it down. What will happen to us as a society if we lose our, or quit using our imaginations? Mr. Patterson, I think you have a wonderfull gift.

I'm an avid reader and have been since I was very young. I've read all your books except the newest, which I haven't been able to get yet. I have to wait until they go on sale because I read 3-4 books a week. I don't watch TV so reading gives me a lot of pleasure. I can re-read a book 2 or 3 years later and enjoy it just as much as the first time. Thank you for many hours of enjoyment. Keep writing your wonderful stories!

why using profanity makes a book worth reading. it turns myself,family,and friends from continuing to buy books from authors who use such language in their books

I am an avid James Patterson fan. Sometimes, I don't want the book to end. Keep them coming and thanks for the hundreds of hours I have spent with you.

I am an avid James Patterson fan. Sometimes, I don't want the book to end. Keep them coming and thanks for the hundreds of hours I have spent with you.

I just wanted to tell I really enjoy your books. They are easy to read because you keep your chapters short. For a busy person that sometimes needs a good temporary stopping point, that fills the bill. I can take your books anywhere because I'm an avid reader and hate to just sit and wait, I like to read while I'm waiting.
My father read a lot and I used to imitate him reading when I was too young to read. I learned you could travel anywhere through a good book, and not be limited by your circumstances before I left grade school. I am semi-retired and still prefer reading and listening to music to TV. It is better than medicine to calm your inner self. Thanks for doing what you do for a living, it gives so much pleasure!

I just wanted to tell I really enjoy your books. They are easy to read because you keep your chapters short. For a busy person that sometimes needs a good temporary stopping point, that fills the bill. I can take your books anywhere because I'm an avid reader and hate to just sit and wait, I like to read while I'm waiting.
My father read a lot and I used to imitate him reading when I was too young to read. I learned you could travel anywhere through a good book, and not be limited by your circumstances before I left grade school. I am semi-retired and still prefer reading and listening to music to TV. It is better than medicine to calm your inner self. Thanks for doing what you do for a living, it gives so much pleasure!

I'm sure I'm biased since I am an avid reader, because I am perplexed whenever I meet someone who never opens a book.

In response to Gabriel's comment that “reading a book is alright as a distraction from studies or while waiting for a bus..." Although I am a huge fan of the Internet, computers and mobile technology, and other such distracting pursuits, I say that watching TV is the biggest distraction in our society, from reading and learning. IMO, books are so much more enjoyable and full of detail, and give us the opportunity to be a bit more of an active participant.

Besides, there is nothing ever on TV anymore, except for mindless reality shows. But I guess we all have our differences.

Taking books away from me forever would be akin to giving my entire life a lobotomy.

Put books on I-pods & other electronic games. Give kids EVERY opportunity to read! I, for one, cannot live without reading and James Patterson books are #1 on my reading list! I've burned the midnight oil over your books so many times I've lost count!!! Thank you for this form of escapism and entertainment.

I love all the books you have written, and have a question that I'm sure you get asked alot so I apologize for being one more person that asks, but was it hard for you to get your first book published? What sort of problems did you run into and how did you overcome them? I am way over my head in this area! If you have the time to offer any advice, or could point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful!! Thank you and again, I have really enjoyed all of your books.

I love all the books you have written, and have a question that I'm sure you get asked alot so I apologize for being one more person that asks, but was it hard for you to get your first book published? What sort of problems did you run into and how did you overcome them? I am way over my head in this area! If you have the time to offer any advice, or could point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful!! Thank you and again, I have really enjoyed all of your books.

sorry for the double comment!!